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It’s Over…It’s Done…We Suck…It Was Still Fun

9-29-12

On my drive into the city this morning I was staring at a beaufiful orange Colorado sunrise and I was thinking about how much things can change from the beginning of a season to the end of it.

For me this season started with the loss of Tom Helmer as part of the Poot Warts team. That one decision probably affected my season more than anything else. For a lot of us Helmer was the face of the Rockies, much more so than Tulowitzki.

Poot Warts claimed they were about the fan..Helmer was our connection to Poot Warts.

Helmer was all about the fans because he himself is a passionate fan who would often let is show.

For the record I have no issues with the rest of the Poot Warts team. In fact they’re a solid group of individuals who I feel for the most part do a bang-up job. Marc Stout “gets it” in my opinion. He’s approachable and he’s close with his fan base.

I’ve never been Anti-Joel Klatt, just extremely Pro-Helmer.

Joel graciously offered to hold my “Bring Back Helmer” sign when we did our protest pre-game at the Rockies last home game of the season. When I actually called Joel on it he said “No” and was kind of a Dick about it but I realize the situation was slightly uncomfortable and I figured I’d give him a break on his attitude because deep down I’m a softie :)

I don’t think anyone could have predicted how different this team would look in September or how bad the Rockies record would be. I remember back in March wandering the practice fields at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick full of enthusiasm and optimism.

Recently I wandered around Coors Field the last game of this season full of frustration and confusion. I along with many other Rockies fans have no idea where the Rockies will go from here?

Never in my wildest nightmares did I imagine this would be the worst Rockies season ever.

I’m no baseball genius. I’m just a fan with a cam who really likes to catch baseballs and feel like I’m part of something by sharing my experiences via my blog.

This season I watched the Rox Addict’s MLBlog develop into something special. Mike has a serious passion for baseball and it reflects in his pictures and his writing enthusiasm. Mike scores every game, takes pictures, writes a blog and attends a lot more games than I. Plus Mike’s a Top 50 MLBlogger.

Mike’s fortunate, he has a pretty liberal work schedule, he’ll be the first to admit it :).

In addition to the Rox Addict we now have another Rockies MLBLogger. I’ve known Amy for several years and she writes a blog called “The Take from Blake”. Amy hasn’t cracked the top 50 yet but she has interactions with players that make this”Old Skool Blogger” kinda jealous.

It’s fun having other Rockies bloggers around. We’re all tight and hook each other up when we can with our limited resources.

Other than the Purple Row which to me is the “Holy Grail” of Rockies blogs, I can’t think of any Rockies blogs that have been around as long as the Rockpile Rant :)

FYI The “Rockpile Rant” has been a Top 10 MLBlog for over 4 years now.

I normally take my spring training trip each year by myself.

In March this year Mike and I headed south for a 11 day spring training trip to Phoenix. Mike’s a great road trip buddy. It’s not easy spending 11 days with someone (most of it camping), driving all over Phoenix area at a frantic pace in search of baseball adventures to blog about.

Mike and I managed to keep it cool and gave each other space as we needed it. When the trip was over we both had a great time and were still friends and plan to do it again.

I’d say that’s a pretty good trip.

I’d say this was probably my worst year for autographs. I just don’t have the patience or drive anymore to stand outside as the players drive up or wait against the wall as the guys warm-up.

I enjoy the company, just don’t like the rejection I figure. As far as snagg’n stats this season, I snagged 29 batting practice baseballs in 25 games ending my season 3 baseballs short of 200 for my career.

Yes I’m still chasing my first ever regular season home run ball. All I can say is I have shit luck and maybe next year will be my year?

6 Comments

Nice post, friend. I’m bummed it was a sucky season, and I’m bummed we didn’t run into each more. Only got to 17 games this season, and most of those we weren’t able to make BP. And yeah, I didn’t wait for autographs one time. Dunno what next year holds, but I’m always hopeful. :)

I now have your sign:) As we were leaving the after “party” it was upside down where you left it. I carried it over my head to my car after dark, I think people thought I was crazy or homeless. Either way, it was cathartic after such a horrendous season. It is now part of my baseball history. Tom is a friend, and very much missed, kinda like good baseball. Thanks for the, “Bring Back Helmer” effort. See you next year:)

Queen Geri and Joy-Doesn’t matter if we only saw each other a few times. You both are loyal Rant readers and I consider you both friends. Our paths will cross, we like that same things :)
Jeanette-Glad to know a Helmer supporter and someone who “gets it” has the sign. You made me smile when I read your comment. Take care…”D”

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